Two metro-east men were among 35 individuals indicted last week in connection with an illegal cigarette and synthetic drug ring.

Maher Hamed, also known as Abu Alazara, 33, of Swansea, faces one count of conspiracy to traffic contraband cigarettes. Hassan Abdelatif, 29, of Collinsville, faces one count of conspiring to distribute synthetic drugs.

The defendants are accused of buying cigarettes in St. Louis, where taxes are lower, and distributing them in Chicago and New Jersey, where taxes are higher on cigarettes. The individuals allegedly set up several convenience stores to make it look like they were selling cigarettes legitimately.

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Hamed is accused of transporting contraband cigarettes out of Missouri, and Abdelatif is accused of working at one of the convenience stores and distributing synthetic drugs.

The convenience stores were also used as a front to launder profits from the sales, according to the indictment.

Synthetic drugs, including the synthetic cannabis drug known as K-2, were also sold at some of the convenience stores. Prosecutors say the defendants purchased the product from a national distributor but also manufactured it themselves using chemicals from China.

Special Agent in Charge James M. Gibbons of Homeland Security Investigation said in a statement that collaboration between federal and local law enforcement is “key to breaking criminal enterprises in this area.”

James P. Shroba, Special Agent in Charge of the Drug Enforcement Administration St. Louis Division, said the indictments and arrests “reflect the commitment of the DEA and our federal, state and local law enforcement partners to dismantle these types of unprincipled business operations that are profiting from human frailty.”

If convicted, the defendants face maximum penalties of five to 20 years in prison and fines of up to $1 million.

Homeland Security Investigations, the DEA, IRS Criminal Investigation, the FBI, Illinois State Police, Illinois Department of Revenue, and the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.